Paralegal Studies Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Anaheim California
Once you have decided to enroll in a paralegal certificate or degree program near Anaheim CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. However, it's essential that you find the best school so that you will get the comprehensive training that you require to succeed. More and more academic choices are being offered in the field of legal studies, both on campus and online, because of the increasing popularity of law related occupations within the United States. But with so many alternatives to choose from, where does one start? When looking for paralegal studies schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. Although location and cost are necessary considerations when picking a college, they are not the only qualifiers you should consider. Things such as accreditation and the reputation of the program must be taken into account too. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the paralegal schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's have a look at what a paralegal does and the academic options that are offered to earn either a paralegal certificate or degree.
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
Paralegals and legal assistants basically both fill comparable job positions and functions, only with different titles. On the other hand, legal secretaries are not the same as either of those two positions and are part of a different job classification. Both paralegals and legal assistants help Anaheim CA attorneys with a diverse array of job duties, such as legal research, maintaining client files, communicating with clients, and drafting legal documents. Their particular job functions are relevant to the type of legal firm where they are employed. For example, a legal assistant for a criminal law firm may assist with trial logistics or delivering documents to court. In private practices, a paralegal's work is normally billed by the hour as are the lawyer's. And the same as attorneys, they must conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism and abide by a strict standard of professional ethics. As stated, their duties can be varied in support of the firms where they are employed, but a few of their daily tasks might include:
- Researching and fact checking cases
- Conducting research on pertinent laws and cases
- Preparing correspondence and legal documents
- Submitting legal documents with the court or opposing counsel
- Helping attorneys prepare for trial and stay organized with their cases
- Organizing and managing legal files, documents and other records
With all of their duties, the role of a paralegal can be complicated and quite challenging. On the other hand, what they are not legally allowed to do is give legal counsel and advice or represent a client in a legal action. But they are not confined to clerical or administrative tasks more suited to the job of a legal secretary. Paralegals really are the main support systems for attorneys. And since they do so much of the legal preparation and ground work, lawyers are able to manage a much larger volume of cases or clients than they could alone.
Paralegal Training and Certification
As we previously covered, paralegals are essentially the same as legal assistants, with paralegals possibly having more professional sounding job titles. In any case, for either position the academic prerequisites and job prospects will be the same. The fastest means to begin your career as a legal assistant in Anaheim CA is by earning a certificate, which may involve as little as 6 months to complete. A large number of entry level positions do require an Associate's Degree, which furnish a more comprehensive education and may be acquired at many community colleges in 2 years. And if you are interested in an even more extensive education, four year Bachelor's Degrees are offered also. After you have acquired either a certificate or degree, you may choose to proceed and obtain a certification. Although it is not a mandatory requirement in California to practice as a paralegal, certification can not only help maximize your career opportunities, but help establish you as a professional as well. Some of the highly regarded certifying organizations in the profession are:
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- American Alliance of Paralegals
- National Association of Legal Assistants
- National Association for Legal Professionals
By graduating with a paralegal degree or certificate from an accredited program (we will cover the advantages of accreditation later) and obtaining a certification, you will have taken 2 crucial first steps that will help guarantee your success as either a paralegal or a legal assistant.
Online Legal Assistant and Paralegal Schools
Legal assistant and paralegal online programs have become more prevalent and may be a good option for students living in Anaheim CA looking for convenient access to classes and accommodating scheduling. Online programs can be particularly attractive to those who keep working while earning a degree. As an additional advantage, online classes can in some cases be less costly than on campus options. Even supplementary expenditures for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated. One caution, not all online programs are accredited, which we will cover in greater detail later. But at a minimum accreditation helps guarantee that the education you receive is of the highest caliber. So check to make certain that the school and program you are considering are accredited by a respected organization, such as the American Bar Association. But if you are disciplined enough to study in a less structured and formal environment, then earning your degree or certificate online may be the right option for you.
Points to Ask Paralegal Studies Programs
Once you have a better understanding regarding what paralegals do and what academic options are offered, you can begin the undertaking of evaluating schools. But because there are numerous programs accessible at community and junior colleges in the Anaheim CA area, in addition to vocational and trade schools, you must learn what questions to ask in order to evaluate each one. This is particularly true if you add all of the online paralegal certificate and degree programs as well. If you are like the majority of potential students, you will begin by looking for schools within commuting distance and then comparing their tuition. But as we have already covered, there are other critical aspects to think about as well, for instance the reputation and accreditation of the schools. So let's go over several of the questions you should be asking the programs you are researching so that you can effectively vet each one and make your final decision.
Is the Paralegal School Accredited? The paralegal program and school that you choose need to be accredited by a respected accrediting agency such as the American Bar Association. If it is an online program, it may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. Accreditation will not only help guarantee that the training you will get will be of the highest standard, but it will demonstrate to potential employers that you are a qualified professional also. Many Anaheim CA law firms will only hire entry level legal assistants that have graduated from an accredited school. Finally, financial aid and student loans are often accessible only for accredited programs.
What's the Reputation of the Program? Investigate what the reputations and rankings are for the paralegal schools you are considering. This is of particular importance if you are new to the field with no previous work history, since employers will need to rely on the quality of your training exclusively. Verifying that the school you choose is accredited is a good first step. Reviewing school rating services can help confirm school rankings and quality of education as well. You can also contact some Anaheim CA law firms that you may have an interest in working for after graduating and ask what schools they suggest. Remember that even though a school is not the most highly rated, its paralegal program may still have an outstanding reputation.
Does the Program Offer Internships? Internship programs provide students an opportunity to experience working in a law office or other legal operation while attending school. They can also offer an avenue for students to begin establishing contacts within the Anaheim CA legal field. Ask if the paralegal programs you are evaluating offer internship programs, specifically in areas of the law that you have the most interest in entering upon graduation.
Is Job Placement Help provided? You will probably want to secure employment quickly after graduating, but getting that first job in a new profession can be difficult without support. Find out if the paralegal programs you are interviewing have job assistance programs and what their success rates are. High and rapid placement rates are a good indication that the schools have sizable networks and great relationships with California legal services employers. It also substantiates that their students are highly regarded and sought after.
Where is the School Located? Because laws vary among states, it may be beneficial to select a paralegal school located in California or the state where you want to work after graduating. Also, it will be valuable to develop relationships in the local legal community, perhaps through an internship program. This is all the more justification to acquire your education in the area where you choose to practice. Also, if you attend classes at a community college, most charge a higher tuition for students that live outside of their districts. So you might wish to first look at those schools that are within the Anaheim CA region.
How Much is the Total Expense? Paralegal schools can differ in price based on the credential obtained and the amount of training furnished. Having said that, tuition will not be the only expense for your education. Remember to include the cost of books, supplies and commuting to classes to your budget as well. Financial assistance may be available to help minimize some of the cost, so don't forget to talk to the school's financial aid department to see what is available in Anaheim CA. Of course if you choose to attend an online program, a portion these added expenses, for instance for commuting, may be decreased or eliminated.
Do the Classes Fit your Schedule? A number of legal students keep working while obtaining their training and need flexibility in class scheduling. If you can just attend night or weekend classes near Anaheim CA, verify classes are offered at those times. Additionally, if you can only attend on a part time basis, make sure that the school you enroll in offers that option. Finally, ask what the process is for making-up classes missed because of sickness, work or family obligations.
Find Out More About Becoming a Legal Assistant in Anaheim
Choose the Right Anaheim Paralegal Studies School
Choosing the best paralegal degree school is a vital first step to guarantee your success in the gratifying field of law. As we have covered in this article, you have the choice of attending classes on-campus or you can participate online in the comfort and privacy of your Anaheim home. Paralegal training programs are made available in various formats and lengths. Various types of private and public institutions offer paralegal training, including junior and community colleges, four year universities and colleges, in addition to trade and vocational schools. Your choice of a paralegal program will have a profound impact on your prospects for success in your new career. Since there is a wide range in the quality of schools, pick carefully. Afford yourself the greatest possible chance to be successful in this fascinating profession. But regardless of how you decide to receive your education and earn your certificate or degree, by asking the questions that we have provided you will have the ability to examine each program and make your final selection. And with the appropriate training you can realize your career objective to become a successful paralegal in Anaheim California.